My creative challenge for 2018 was Taking Shape: Cues from Nature where each month I made a 50x50cm abstract textile painting with a focus on shape.
For my 12th and final work in this collection, I was inspired by the gang of cockatoos that often hang out on the power lines in the street below. To round out the collection, I intentionally selected a golden yellow background with straight, angular shapes rather than curves.
My goal was to complete the collection by 31 December but I didn’t quite make it. This is the state of my design wall on New Year’s Day 2019:
On 2 January I completed the straight-line stitching with gold and variegated threads:
I don’t use a ruler but line up with the previous line of stitching with my walking foot. I love the texture this creates. Some lines wobble a little but the overall effect is suitably linear.
View the Taking Shape: Cues from Nature collection on my website. This collection will also be on exhibition at the Sydney Quilt Show 19-23 June 2019 where I will be a special exhibitor in the QuiltNSW exhibition space along with Catherine Butterworth.
Seven things I [re] learned
As I complete this 12-piece Monthly Art Project, it is instructive to reflect on things I [re] learned along the way:
- Shapes are fun but I like lines more. This challenge took me outside my comfort zone.
- Simple is hard – every detail, angle, spacing and curve asserts itself – nothing is extraneous. As a result, there was much more pre-planning in some of these pieces than I am used to. I really prefer to work more intuitively than following a “pattern”. I am aiming for some more free-flowing designs in my future.
- Technique-wise, it’s easier to create pieced shapes in a 50x50cm format than the 15×15 size that I used for my Copa Abstractions: Weekly Art Quilt Project, but intensive stitching this size takes much longer.
- Zig zag is now embedded in my stitching repertoire.
- It is challenging to create a cohesive collection in 12 pieces exploring different subjects. Keeping to a reasonably limited palette helped.
- The monthly timetable freed me up to work on other projects but also provided a structure for me to complete a new series of work for exhibition. This was ideal for consolidation purposes but more continuity and momentum comes with a more frequent, regular creative practice. I miss the sketching I did for my weekly art project.
- Sharing on Facebook and Instagram is great for community and instant feedback but blogging remains an important tool in record keeping.
Stayed tuned for my Monthly Art Project in 2019. I invite you to join me.
Join the Monthly Art Project: Bloom in 2019!
The Monthly Art Project Facebook Group is open to any artist in any medium with a showcase on the 15th day of each month. New participants are welcome at any time. The project will continue until 30 June 2019 so there will be six showcases in 2019.
Maryte says
Brenda, even I see a variety of colors and shapes, your collection looks very integral. You achieved your goal, congratulations!
Kathy says
Beautiful. I’m especially drawn to September. The lines broken into squares. I hope you don’t mind but I may incorporate zigzag into my repertoire! It was very effective. I’m completely used up with helping out with the grandkids so my re pledge will be later……..